DER Weekends: Pathways for first-gen students at the University of Detroit Mercy – WDET 101.9 FM

Dean Dr. Ahmed Radwan of the College of Health Professions at the University of Detroit Mercy is hoping to bring more first-generation students to the private university.

“First gen students need extra care… if you are a first gen, this means that you’re on your own. So we, as a university and as a college have to replace the extra support at home and offer it here for the students,” he says.

Ties to immigrant experience

Radwan was born and raised in Cairo. He moved to the United States about 20 years ago. He previously served as s a professor of physical therapy, and later the the Dean of Health Professions at the Utica University in New York.

He joined the University of Detroit Mercy in 2024.

Radwan says that although he was not a first-generation student in the U.S., he felt similar experiences when he moved to the U.S.

“Everything was new. I had to teach myself how to advise my own children at school, because I have not attended school here in the States… I realized how important it is to offer the extra help that is needed at the University for first gen, if we truly care about them and about their success,” he shares. 

UDM makes plans to help first gen students

He says UDM provides extra help to students. That includes providing students with a faculty advisor, success coaches, and assistance from the Office of Student Support. He says there’s also a peer educator system.

“I think the student has multiple levels of support, not just one or two,” he says, noting that its not only his passion to support first gen students, but also the university’s mission. 

He says the university provides summer camps, starting in middle school, to expose them to different career fields. 

First gen students add to campus diversity

Radwan says there are several first-gen students and diverse students on campus.

“I think it depends on the program, but in certain majors, you will be surprised that diversity represents more than 60% of the class,” he shares.

Offering options

Radwan says many minority families expect their first-gen children to pursue specific careers, but he says there are more options. 

“Families, especially families coming from the Middle East, they have a preference towards their children being physicians, engineers, lawyers, but there are other health professions that could be even more successful as a career,” he says.

One of those fields is nursing, due to the national shortage.

He says the College of Health Professions and Catherine McAuley School of Nursing offers several programs. It’s an option for students who want to shift another field, “and quickly help them a career shift to nursing to become nurse,” he says.

Radwan explains that these programs are also designed for foreign-born students who need to transfer their skills and work credentials. 

The program is offered at the Novi campus, and will be offered in Grand Rapids, in collaboration with Aquinas College campus.

Radwan says the Catholic university welcomes people of diverse faith traditions.